Sue Kirby

A BIG-HEARTED community has pulled together to help a young County Durham athlete fulfill her sporting dreams.

Peterlee schoolgirl, Megan Atkinson, 12, can now compete in the World Dwarf Games at Michigan State University in America next month thanks to generous fund-raisers.

Staff and students at her school, St Bede’s Catholic Comprehensive, Peterlee, raised £1,000 towards the cost of the trip.

Assistant headteacher Paul Dickson raised £700 by taking part in a Coast to Coast bike ride in May and the rest of the money was raised through raffles, hampers and quizzes at the Westway-based school and from sales of cakes made by Megan and her mum Sarah.

Mr Dickson said: “I think this is just another example of how the community pulls together. We wish Megan luck in the summer.”

Megan was born with achondroplasia, the same condition as London 2012 gold medal heroine Ellie Simmonds, who she has taken part in numerous competitions with.

Representing Team GB in America, she will take part in the 50m butterfly, 100m backstroke, 100m individual medley, 200m individual medley, and track and field events including running, discus, javelin and shot putt, as well as playing football.